II Timothy 1: 10 -18  The gospel.. to which Paul was "appointed a preacher.. an apostle.. and a teacher".. that our Savior, Jesus Christ appeared.. destroyed death.. and brought life and immortality to light.. is the truth that he is willing to suffer for.  Paul says, "I am not ashamed... for I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him until that day." (v12) 

That verse is familiar and we sing it in a favorite hymn.  But, it is a loaded statement!  To "know.". to perceive and understand.. to inspect and examine it.. to look at and behold it.. "whom" - who, which, what, that.. "I have believed" -to think to be true.. to be persuaded of.. to place confidence in.. to trust. ".. And I am persuaded"- convinced; confident; assured; to assent to.. rely on.. agree with.. or yielded to; "that he is able to keep that which I have committed to him against that day." 

Paul is willing to suffer.. willing to be imprisoned.. willing to die for the sake of the gospel of Jesus Christ because he KNOWs and believes with all of his being that there is a day coming when he will stand before Him.. and it will be worth it all.  This is what he desires for his beloved Timothy too!

"Retain the standard of sound words.. " Paul tells us. Hold on.. possess.. own them.. "in the faith and love which are in Christ Jesus." Hold fast.. to words of faith and love.. hold fast to all that Jesus has said. Hold fast to all that He has called us to.. 

"Guard, through the Holy Spirit, who dwells in us, the treasure which has been entrusted to you."  We are not alone in this good fight of faith. The Spirit of God dwells in us. He will help us hold on to the good words.. the faith and the love.. through any suffering.. through every storm.. through the loss of friends.. through it all.  

Father, thank You for providing such a Helper... Your Spirit who dwells in us and helps us to walk this walk of faith and love.. to the glory of the name that is above all names.. Jesus Christ! Amen.